Well, let me tell you about this 1939 Chevrolet pickup truck. I ain’t no expert, mind you, but I seen a thing or two in my time. This here truck, they say it’s a real classic, like them fancy folks talk about.
Now, back in ’39, things were different. Folks needed a good, strong truck to haul stuff around, not like these shiny things they got today. This Chevy, it had a good, long wheelbase, somethin’ like 113 and a half inches they say. That’s a lot of inches, I reckon. Made it steady, ya know, for carryin’ things.
And the engine? Oh, it had a six-cylinder engine, they called it a “216”. Now, I ain’t no mechanic, but I heard it had somethin’ like 85 horses. That’s a lot of horses pullin’ that truck! They called this here truck a “Cab and Box”, simple like. And it didn’t cost an arm and a leg neither. Heard tell it was somethin’ around $572. Back then, that was a good chunk of change, but worth it for a workin’ man’s truck.
They painted ’em all sorts of colors, I hear. Green with black fenders, that’s a popular one. Looks kinda nice, I guess, if you like that sorta thing. Me, I like a good solid color, somethin’ that don’t show the dirt too much. Workin’ on a farm, you ain’t got time to be fussin’ over fancy paint jobs.
This here truck, it had a three-speed manual transmission. That means you gotta shift the gears yourself, not like them automatics where you just push a button. Takes a bit of gettin’ used to, but once you get the hang of it, it’s like second nature. Keeps you on your toes, that’s for sure.
Now, these days, you don’t see too many of these ’39 Chevys around. They’re what they call “collectibles” now. Folks fix ’em up all fancy and take ’em to shows. I seen some pictures online, looks like they shine ’em up real good. Some folks even sellin’ ’em for a pretty penny. Heard tell you can find ’em on them websites, like that “ClassicCars” thing. Prices startin’ low as $8, they say, but I bet the good ones cost a whole lot more.
- Engine: 216 cubic inch inline-six
- Power: 85 horsepower
- Wheelbase: 113.5 inches
- Transmission: Three-speed manual
- Price (1939): $572 (approximately)
It’s funny, ain’t it? Back then, it was just a work truck. Now, it’s a piece of history. Makes you think, don’t it? Times change, things change, but a good truck is still a good truck, no matter how old it is. If you ever see one of these ’39 Chevys, take a good look. It’s a reminder of a simpler time, when things were built to last. And that, I reckon, is somethin’ worth rememberin’. They even had somethin’ called a station wagon built on the same kinda frame, but longer, like 112.25 inches. But that’s a whole ‘nother story for another day.
This truck wasn’t no fancy thing. It was for workin’. Haulin’ hay, takin’ goods to market, doin’ what needed to be done. That’s what it was made for. Not for showin’ off. Though, I gotta say, them shiny ones they got now, they do look kinda purdy.
And you know what else? This “Hemmings Motor News” place, they been sellin’ info on these old cars since 1954. Imagine that! Longer than some folks been alive. They must know a thing or two about these here trucks. They even got their own website, I hear. You can find all sorts of old cars and trucks there, if you’re into that sort of thing.
So, there you have it. A little bit about the 1939 Chevrolet pickup truck. Like I said, I ain’t no expert, but I hope I told you a thing or two worth knowin’. It’s a piece of history, that’s for sure. And a reminder that good, strong work ain’t never gone out of style.
Tags: [1939 Chevrolet Pickup, Classic Trucks, Vintage Trucks, Chevrolet Trucks, Antique Trucks, 1930s Trucks, Hemmings Motor News, Classic Cars]
